Sound-producing device.



J. W. TIMMONS sown PRODUCING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1913.

1,088,482. Patented Feb. 24, 191;

Inventor,

by W I Attorney;

Witnesses JOSEPH W. TIMMONS, OF ORLANDO, FLDRIDA.

SOUNDJPRODUCING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24,1914.

Application filed May 16, 1913. Serial No. 768,125.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Josnrir 1V. TIMMONS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Orlando, in the county of Orange and State of Florida, have invented a new and useful Sound-Producing Device, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a sound producer particularly designed for use as a toy or as a theatrical appliance, one of the objects of the invention being to provide a simple, durable and inexpensive device of this character which can be manipulated to produce sounds simulating a galloping or trotting horse, a locomotive in motion, etc., thus rendering the device especially desirable for use in connection with moving pictures so as thus to enhance the effect pro duced.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the inveution.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete apparatus, a portion of one side being broken away. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus, one of the positions in which the stick can be held being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on line AB Fig. 2.

Referring tothe figures by characters of reference 1 designates a frame, preferably rectangular and also preferablymade up of hollow members although it is to be understood that the members of the frame can be solid or some of them can be hollow and the remaining solid so as thus to produce any desired effect. Bail-like metallic members 2 preferably formed of strong wire, are mounted on one side of the frame and em tend diagonally across the corner portions oi the opening in the frame, those portions of the metal members extending across the opening being straight.

The structure herein described is designed to be used in connection with a sounding stick l l r one end of which is preferably formed with longitudinally extendin intersecting slots t thus to provide normally spaced strips or i tongues 5 adapted, however, when the split end of the stick is struck against the frame, to come tog-ether and thus produce a slapping sound. Ihe stick 3 is preferably cylindrical and that end thereof remote from the slots elcan be made solid or tubular. In the drawings said end has been shown tubular as at (3.

In using the device the frame 1 is held in any suitable manner and either end of the stick 3 is then inserted into the frame and given a substantially circular movement so to strike successively the inner faces of the sides of the frame. By changing the speed of the stick and by skipping one or more of the sides of the frame, different desired effects can be obtained. Furthermore by ins rting the split end of the stick 3 and causing it to strike successively against all or certain of the sides of the frame, a crackling or slapping sound will be produced whereas, by inserting the end 6 into the frame and bringing it into contact with the sides thereof, a dead or hollow sound will be produced. By extending the stick through the frame so that it will be caused to successively engage the metallic members 2 or said metallic members and the sides of fran'ie 1 alternately, the sounds produced will differ materially from those produced by hitting the frame 1 only. The position of the stick when inserted for engaging both the metallic and the wooden portions of the structure, has been indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

Obviously by varying the speed of the stick, by inserting it into the frame 1 only or into the space between the members 2, and by skipping one or more of the contact surfaces of the device, different sounds, such as those produced by horses trotting or galloping. locomotives, etc, can be simulated.

shown in Fig. 1 the sides of the frame 1 can be made detachable, these sides being held together in any suitable manner, as means of screws 7 or the like. I do not desirc to limit myself to any particular Cleans for detachably securing the corners of the frame together.

For the purpose qualities of sound, the frame and stick of producing different the material of which are made can be varied.

For example, one or the other of the structures can be lined with bone or ebony, thus to simulate a snare drum, the rattling of bones etc.

lVhat is claimed is 1. A device of the class described including a resonant angular frame, and members extending diagonally across the corner portions of the frame at one side of the frame, said members being of a timbre differing from that of the frame.

9. A device of the class described including a resonant hollow angular frame, solid resonant members supported by and beyond one side of the frame and extending across the opening in the frame, said members be ing adapted, when vibrated, to produce tones differing from those resulting from the vibration of the frame.

3. A device of the class described including a resonant hollow angular frame, solid resonant members supported by and beyond one side of the frame and extending across the opening in the frame, said members being disposed in a plane spaced from and parallel with the plane occupied by the frame.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto allixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH \V. TIMMONS.

Witnesses T. J. SHEPARD, A. J.

coplel of thil patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Comminioner of Ietenu. Washington, D. C. 

